Lakers Show Late Fight, But Fall Short Again vs. Clippers
It’s becoming a familiar tune for the Lakers: fall behind big, rally late, and ultimately run out of time. Thursday night against the Clippers was no different.
The purple and gold trailed by as many as 26 before a burst of energy in the second half made things interesting. But once again, the comeback effort came up short, and the Lakers walked away with another frustrating loss.
The turning point came late in the third quarter when head coach JJ Redick went small, ditching the traditional center setup and leaning on a lineup that brought pace, energy, and defensive grit. It worked - for a while. The Lakers clawed back into the game, but with the margin for error razor-thin, the Clippers steadied themselves in the final minutes and slammed the door shut.
Let’s break down the individual performances from a game that showed flashes of fight but left plenty of questions.
LeBron James
36 minutes, 23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 9-19 FG, 1-4 3PT, -7
LeBron continues to defy time, but even he needs help. The Lakers’ late push came when the team started flying around on both ends - and you could see LeBron feeding off that energy.
He was efficient with his shot, made plays, and brought leadership in the comeback stretch. Still, the turnovers and some missed opportunities in key moments held him back from a more dominant night.
Grade: B+
Jake LaRavia
22 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 blocks, 2-5 FG, 2-2 3PT, -15
LaRavia came out hot, making an early impact with energy plays and timely shooting. But after those first few minutes, he faded into the background.
Defensively, the box score says he was active - and he was - but his overall presence waned as the game wore on.
Grade: B-
Deandre Ayton
21 minutes, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2-5 FG, -14
There’s no sugarcoating it: Ayton struggled. The Lakers looked more cohesive and energized when he was off the floor.
He couldn’t establish a presence inside, and his impact on the boards was minimal. Redick eventually benched him, opting for a centerless lineup that sparked the comeback.
Grade: D
Marcus Smart
30 minutes, 10 points, 4 assists, 2 steals, 4-10 FG, 1-5 3PT, -1
Smart was a tone-setter in the second half. His defensive presence, along with Vanderbilt and Hachimura, helped fuel the Lakers’ run.
He wasn’t lights-out from deep, but he made smart decisions and brought the kind of edge this team desperately needs.
Grade: B+
Luka Dončić
39 minutes, 32 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 11-27 FG, 3-13 3PT, -17
Luka came out aggressive, carrying the scoring load early and doing everything he could to keep the Lakers afloat. But as the game wore on and others finally stepped up, his rhythm dipped.
One late possession - where he passed up a shot after a huge steal from Vanderbilt - stood out, but it likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome. Still, the numbers speak for themselves.
He was the engine.
Grade: A-
Gabe Vincent
15 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1-2 FG, -8
Vincent’s minutes were limited, and it’s clear why. He didn’t bring much to the table, and given the current guard rotation, it’s tough to make a case for more playing time.
Grade: F
Jaxson Hayes
17 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3-4 FG, -4
Hayes was more effective than Ayton, but that’s a low bar. He had a few nice finishes, but struggled to make an impact defensively, especially on the glass.
When the Lakers went small, they looked better - and that says a lot.
Grade: C-
Rui Hachimura
28 minutes, 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 5-11 FG, 2-7 3PT, +6
Rui played a key role in the Lakers’ comeback. He found his rhythm offensively and brought solid two-way play during the most competitive stretch of the game.
He’s starting to look more comfortable, and that’s a promising sign moving forward.
Grade: A-
Jarred Vanderbilt
22 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 4 steals, 3-5 FG, +16
Vando was everywhere. His energy was contagious, and his defensive activity - especially those four steals - helped flip the momentum.
He’s still limited offensively, but his impact on the game was undeniable.
Grade: A-
Drew Timme
10 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 assist, +4
Timme didn’t get a ton of run, but he made the most of it. Hustle plays, floor dives - all the little things you want from a guy on a two-way deal.
He earned his minutes.
Grade: B
JJ Redick (Head Coach)
Redick made some bold calls in this one - benching Ayton, going with a smaller, faster lineup - and it nearly paid off.
The Lakers looked re-energized when they went small, and that’s a credit to Redick’s willingness to adjust on the fly. He’s still figuring things out as a head coach, but this was a step in the right direction.
Grade: B+
Bottom Line: The Lakers showed fight, but moral victories don’t count in the standings. If they want to stop playing from behind, they’ll need to bring that second-half intensity from the opening tip.